The Free Verse Society

by Delali Adjoa

This deluxe paperback edition will feature gorgeous sprayed edges!

A tender hate-to-love YA romance about two teens who connect through their high school poetry club, where the power of the written word tears down the walls they’ve built around their hearts.

No one in Delray knows Jae Aƒenyo’s story—that she’s a teen mom who placed her baby for adoption—and she intends to keep it that way. After moving in with her uncle, Jae is looking for a fresh start. But an accidental run-in with the school’s delinquent Derek Patel is not exactly what she had in mind. She soon finds a haven in the poetry club—at least, until Derek joins.

Derek Patel is desperately clinging to his old life—where his dad was alive, his mom was healthy, and they lived on Ocean Boulevard instead of a run-down pink bungalow. He’ll do anything to hide his problems from his friends, including breaking into his old house to keep up the charade that he still lives there. But the house now belongs to the school’s lit teacher, who offers him the chance to join the poetry club as a penance.

As the newest members of the club, Jae and Derek are tasked with planning the end-of-semester poetry reading. While Derek is hell-bent on keeping his broken family a secret, Jae is desperate to prove to her uncle that she’s more than a walking statistic—which means guarding her heart against Derek, who her uncle thinks is no good.

A poignant exploration of love, loss, and the power of words to draw people together, The Free Verse Society announces the arrival of an important new voice in YA romance.

Perfect for readers who love Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Hate to Love, the Misunderstood Bad Boy, Opposite Sides of the Tracks, Secret Baby, and Reading/Literature Club Bonding!

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Romance, Poetry

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 10, 2026

About the author

Delali Adjoa was born in Togo to Ghanaian parents but grew up in Canada, where she traded sunny cottons for wool tuques and snowsuits. She has been chasing warmer weather ever since.
Delali writes fiction centered on identity, freedom, and family, and loves the American South for the stories it has buried. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and Georgetown University. Instagram: @DelaliWrites.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. 💜

[Aparajita Majumdar · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a debut author, Delali Adjoa has outdone herself. I am a sucker for enemies to lovers stories. Even though it's not your regular enemies to lovers, I quite got the feeling like that. Jae and Derek, both suffering from their own traumas and trying to survive in their present situation have been portrayed beautifully. It was hurting at a point in the book how much people can suffer at such a young age.

Jae, an ordinary girl, a straight-A student has a lot to deal with because of the painful past she has and now living with her uncle. She's just trying to prove that she belongs somewhere.

Derek Patel, a half Indian boy, whose life suddenly changed when his father left and his mother almost became an addict. His family lost all the money they had but he doesn't want anybody else to know about that. His friends are not good people, they are bullies but despite knowing that he needs those friends because they are the only normal which is left of his old times.

Jae and Derek met in the school under a very unwanted situation but the moment they met, they felt a kind of attraction towards each other. Jae wanted to hate Derek from the beginning but little did she know that both their daily lives would be intertwined. Both of them became a part of a poetry club, named Free Verse Society. The purpose of this club was creating free verse poetry which reflects life, love and loss.

I have to say, the glimpses of poetry in the book were a cherry on top of the cake. They are sweet, sad and overwhelming. I thoroughly enjoyed the development of Jae and Derek's relationship and how their pain of the past started feeling less heavy after they started knowing each other.

[Quilted.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely obsessed with this book. Truly a hidden gem and an easy must read.This story follows Jae Afenyo and Derek Patel two teenagers who couldn’t be more different brought together through their high school poetry club. Jae is trying to start over after placing her baby up for adoption a part of her life no one at her new school knows about. She’s living with her uncle determined to prove she’s more than the label everyone wants to stick on her and poetry becomes the one place she feels safe enough to breathe.Derek on the other hand is clinging desperately to the version of his life before everything fell apart before his father died, before his mother got sick, before they lost their oceanfront home. To keep up appearances, he’s literally breaking into his old house just to pretend things haven’t changed. When he’s caught, he’s forced to join the poetry club as punishment which is where everything collides.What starts as tension and resistance slowly turns into something softer, deeper, and incredibly real. As Jae and Derek are tasked with planning the end of semester poetry reading together, their walls start to crack. Both are guarding huge secrets, both are hurting, and neither wants to admit how much they need to be seen and understood.And the poetry oh wow. The poems scattered throughout the book were such a beautiful surprise. Every poem felt raw like you were being trusted with something deeply personal.This book explores love, loss, grief, class differences, teen pregnancy, family pressure, and the power of words in such a gentle yet devastating way. It’s emotional and incredibly powerful. I found myself rereading lines just letting it sink in.One of the most beautiful stories I’ve read in a long time. Don’t sleep on this one.

[Bethany Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you thank you thank you endlessly to @delaliwrites for sending me an advanced copy of her positively *exquisite* debut.

I read this in two sittings, and I don’t read a lot of physical books during the winter months. This one hooked me immediately. And the POETRY in this book my god, it was stunning.

We follow Jae and Derek, two teens who are dealing with so much. They are unlikely friends who catch feelings and it’s gorgeous to watch.

Jae’s story *moved* me. I cried several times. The friendships built, the love and care she receives from her chosen family, and the ending of this book for her absolutely are wrecked me.

Derek’s situation made my heart hurt for him. He had so much on his plate and his worry for his mom made it harder. He was doing his best and so overwhelmed. His heart is so good under his tough exterior.

The friends in this book are amazing. Some of the people I the school suck, but damn. This chosen family. I want a Swan, CJ, and William for myself. They *showed up* and it was everything.

Anyway the end of this book had me wiping away tears in public because it was so stunningly beautiful. An incredible debut from an incredible author. I cannot wait to read more from Delali.

[Sydne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book broke me open. Yes, there are dark themes, but the story is a welcome breeze, a breath held and released, a scab falling off to reveal the healed skin beneath.
What I thought was a story about two troubled kids in a poetry group turned into so much more. I cried too many times to count and instead of feeling empty, I feel full.
This is an amazing novel.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beautiful prose in this one, mixed with the absolutely gorgeous free-verse poems sprinkled throughout, stopped me in my tracks. THE FREE VERSE SOCIETY is equal parts gorgeous, heart wrenching, and introspective. I loved every minute of it, and Delali Adjoa is absolutely a debut writer to watch!

[Chloski_binoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book it exceeded my expectations. As soon as I started reading it I couldn't stop I got sucked in. This story follows Jae Aƒenyo who has moved in with her uncle and is looking for a fresh start after becoming a teen mother and placing her baby up for adoption, and Derek Patel who is trying to keep up a facade to his friends of the old life that he use to have before his father died. Things happen they both end up in this poetry club for different reasons and as the newest members of the club they have to plan the end of semester poetry reading together. This book was so much more emotional than I expected it to be it was so raw and realistic, and for this to not be the longest book I really cared about everything such as the characters, Jae was such an easy character to care about and like, she was realistic and I couldn't help but always want the best for her she was just very likeable and I enjoyed following her. Derek was also very likable although at times he might not have made the best decision or the right one I could always understand why, he was truly just a teenager going through it but he never did something that was extremely unlikable he was also like jae very realistic especially for a teenage boy. They both were flawed characters but never unnecessary in their actions you could always see where both of them were coming from. I loved them and their relationship their was so much chemistry between them I was rooting for them the whole time. Another thing that I loved about this book was the writing. I just found the writing so beautiful and poetic at times (of course) even outside of the poetry, I'm not a person who consumes poetry like that but the poems in this book were really good. I can only imagine that having to write multiple poems for multiple different characters and having to make sure that each of those poems actually fits each character and their personality and background must be a little hard but the author did a great job at writing each poem. It's safe to say that I loved this book and will be getting a Physical copy of it when it comes out. I definitely recommend I know that so many people would love this even if you don't know a lot about poetry, you can use me as a living example of that.

[taketwolu]

Jae’s ready to start fresh at a new school but soon finds her world flipped after meeting Derek. Through duo povs, we see the two connect through the school’s poetry club as they unravel their stories and guard their secrets.

Adoja writes in a way that is moody, mature, and each sentence feels perfectly carved and packed with emotions that I'm still processing. We explore different themes of grief, family dynamics, motherhood, love, the innate want to hold onto something you no longer can, and deeply craving what you can’t have. The themes are dark and the prose is beautiful. I loved lingering on the words, the unspoken thoughts between Jae and Derek, and all that happens in the past, present, and future for the characters in this book.

Both Derek and Jae have their own histories which are riddled with happy moments but also shadowed by the fallout and trauma of things they lost. Even with the rest of the poetry club members (William, Swan, and CJ) we see how different everyone's life experiences are. Despite the hurt in their lives, things aren't black and white. Heavy topics are humanized, “bad situations” are spun in different lights showing other sides, and everyone is twined together through the poetry club.

Heaviness aside, here's some moments I loved:
- all the small things Jae and Derek noticed about each other
- the poetry sessions under the banyan trees + the poems
- Uncle Rowan's kind side and Ms. Rosette’s mischievous side
- Swan’s unapologetic self and the overall vibe between the whole club
- Jae’s love for June
- Mrs. Aldana’s warmth
- the overall found family and unconventional dynamics of this group 🤧

This is such a breathtaking debut and I can’t wait to read more by Adjoa!

Thanks Netgalley and Peach Tree Teen for the arc!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first thought on reading the blurb at the back was, " Oh, great. Another angsty teen romance," - and I did not expect much. However, a few pages in, I was proved wrong and how. Yes, there was angst. Yes, there was romance. But what pulled in deeper was the honesty and grit of the protagonists to be better. Every single time.

Jae has been through a lot - and it has changed her in many ways. She was more than just a statistic - and found her strive to be better, so wholesome. She put herself back bit by bit and accepted every part of her and blossomed before my eyes. Towards the end, the climax scene did bring tears to my eyes - and that's why I know her story will stay with me.

Derek is a sweetie after my heart - and I especially related to his search for his Indian identity - and how he stood up for himself through the novel. I also appreciated that he wasn't mean for the sake of it, unlike most YA protagonists these days.

The overall themes of identity, interracial families, how much your parents truly shape you and all this is set against a backdrop of free verse - and it goes to show how words matter. And why they are so powerful.

Overall, a poignant read to start the year!

Review of advance copy received from Author

[Hana ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for this to come out!!

[Medha Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, let’s crank up the quirk and dive deeper into The Free Verse Society by Delali Adjoa, because if my first take was the coffee-shop ugly-cry version, this one’s the late-night journal-entry remix with all the themes and feels laid bare.

At its core, this is a hate-to-love YA romance that’s so much more than swoony glances over metaphor notebooks. Jae Afenyo shows up in Delray Beach hauling the heaviest invisible luggage, desperate for a clean slate away from Atlanta, her mom, and the whispers that still echo in her head. She’s guarded, prickly, and poetry is her only safe exhale. Then there’s Derek Patel—soccer-star-gone-rogue, still ghost-haunted by his dad’s death, his family’s financial freefall, and a mom who’s struggling. He’s breaking into his old fancy house just to pretend life didn’t shatter. (Talk about a metaphor that hurts to read.) Forced proximity? Check. Poetry club punishment? Double check. Sparks? They practically set the page on fire.

Themes that hit like quiet lightning:

- Grief and loss: Not the dramatic, cinematic kind, but the slow-bleed version that seeps into every choice. Parental death, fractured families, cultural disconnection (both have dads who didn’t fully pass down their heritage), and the grief of futures that never happened.

- Secrets and shame: Jae’s adoption decision, Derek’s crumbling façade. The book asks: What happens when you stop hiding the messy parts of yourself?

- Healing through words: Free verse isn’t decoration here; it’s oxygen. The interspersed poems (raw, jagged, vulnerable) let characters say what prose can’t. Addiction shadows, domestic abuse echoes, financial insecurity, teen pregnancy aftermath—they’re handled with such gentle honesty it never feels exploitative.

- Found family in the misfits: The poetry club crew starts as awkward strangers and ends up as the soft place to land. Opposites attract, class divides, cultural threads, it’s all woven in without preaching.

- Redemption and vulnerability: No magic fixes, just two teens accidentally showing each other it’s okay to crack open.

Emotionally? This book is a rollercoaster disguised as a slow-burn. I started smirking at the snarky banter, then got quietly angry at how unfair life is to these kids, then full-on heart-squeezed when the walls finally crumble. There’s rage at circumstances, tenderness in small gestures (late-night poem edits, shared silences), gut-punch moments of recognition (“same” to the grief, the shame, the what-ifs), and this warm, tentative hope that sneaks up on you. I laughed at the absurd beauty of a poem about expired yogurt turning profound. I teared up when trust finally clicks—not in fireworks, but in the simple act of being seen. By the end, I felt cathartic, like I’d been holding my breath and someone finally said, “It’s okay to exhale.”

It’s not all sunshine; the heavy stuff lingers. But Adjoa balances it with so much care… realism without despair, romance without clichés, poetry without pretension, that you walk away lighter. Changed, even.

If you’ve ever clutched a notebook like a lifeline, or loved someone who was hurting and didn’t know how to say it, or just needed proof that words can rebuild what’s broken, this one’s for you. Tear-stained pages and half-finished poems you’ll wish were yours. Join the society. Bring tissues. And maybe a spare heart. You’ll need it.

[thefriendlybibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Free Verse Society is a sharply, lyrical meditation on motherhood, friendship, self-confidence, and young love.

This review is not very structured because I'm still chewing on this read, which is how I know it was a great one.

This book hit me in all of my feelings. I laughed, I cried, I shouted don't do that, and everything in between. The story is such a complicated mix of heartbreaking and cute. I repeatedly thought, "Give those poor babies a hug" and also they did the silliest and cutest things despite going through things adults don't even know how to process. Thanks to Mrs. Aldana for being the supportive adult they all needed.

The poetry club itself was a strong aspect of the book. The precious group of young poets grew in different ways from sharing their poetry, being in community, and honing their craft. They learned to rely on each other and to support each other, and eventually became true friends despite their varying pasts and life experiences. The text is incorporates poetry in multiple forms: embedded poetry, borrowing from the form of free verse in the writing, poetry as a form communication, and our the club geeking out. I appreciated all of those elements and how they all flowed into each other to create a beautiful read.

I also learned some things such as the fact that the v-day kiss picture from Times Square and the related statue in San Diego are actually not very romantic at all and come from a very cringy situation. My idealism of that situation was just as dashed as Derek's was in the book.

Finally, The Free Verse Society reminded me of why I enjoy reading YA. I really believe that as we get older we are often growing alongside the internal younger versions of ourselves and those parts of us need feeding and attention too. Teens process this such a deeply emotional way and sometimes we need to tap into our teen selves to heal from the past or to stop overcomplicating things and just feel. There were so many moments where the teens in this book had to take care of themselves or challenge the adults in our lives and its good to be reminded that we are all still growing and feeling and learning. Getting older doesn't mean you have all and the answers and we can learn from those who are younger. YA can be just as deep and thought provoking as any other piece of literature and this book certainly was. I highly recommend!

[Ilana Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of The Free Verse Society and after finishing it, it's going to take a while to get over the experience. Not that I want to get over it. It's been a while since I've read such a beautiful, moving, meaningful story, and I'm enjoying soaking in all the beauty and emotion.

Jae has moved to live with her uncle after placing her baby with a loving family. Despite knowing her daughter is in good hands, Jae misses her desperately and is unsure about whether she was allowed to really make a free choice about letting her go. The other teens at her new school know nothing about Jae's past and she carries her secret closely.

Derek is recovering from his father's sudden death in a car crash which left his mother addicted to painkillers. His life has changed radically: no more big house, no more loving, intact family. Instead, he's hiding the uniform he's forced to wear at his job in a restaurant from his friends. After going so far as to break into his old house to hide his new life, he's caught and charged with becoming part of The Free Verse Society—a poetry club—to make up for it.

Jae and Derek, both members of the club, clash at first, despite the powerful attraction they both feel upon first meeting. As the story progresses, they grow closer, secrets fall away, and something rare and beautiful develops between them.

This book had me from page one. Delali Adoja's writing is gorgeous, descriptive, and immersive. I fell in love with both Jae and Derek—and all the secondary characters—almost instantly. They're both realistically realised young people who are trying their best, dealing with life circumstances no one should have to carry at such young ages. The story kept me involved, brought me up and down and back up again, and left me feeling warm and so happy I'd been allowed to experience it.

The Free Verse society has wonderful things to say about grief and how we face life's challenges. It demonstrates how love gives us the strength to navigate through pain and difficulty. It's a gorgeously written novel with wonderful characters, and I can't recommend it enough.

[Lyn Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is incredibly wholesome. The Free Verse Society is a wholesome hate-to-love YA romance about two teens who connect through their high school poetry club. Through the written word, they begin to unravel the walls guarding their hearts. With a thoughtful blend of sweetness and trauma, the story unfolds with quiet emotional power.

The story unfolds through both Jae’s and Derek’s POVs, which I truly appreciated because it allowed for a deeper understanding of their thoughts and emotions. Despite each of them hiding their darkest secrets, the characters never felt frustrating. Instead, their inner worlds were written with such clarity and care that I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning.

The supporting characters were all so lovable that I wished I knew them in real life (minus the mean ones, but they’re necessary in the story). I also loved seeing how, when parents weren’t there for their troubled teens, other adults chose to show up.

The poems, especially the ones read at the open mic poetry night, were incredibly moving. Their words brought me to tears and took me back to the days when I truly loved poetry.

If you’re a fan of YA romance, I highly recommend this one. It’s not cringey, beautifully paced, and the plot rises and falls at just the right moments.

Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Publishers for the e-ARC. And my biggest thanks to the author, Delali Adjoa, for writing such a beautiful novel.

[Komal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quietly beautiful story of two people finding healing in poetry and each other. The Free Verse Society follows Jae, who’s moved in with her uncle for a fresh start and Derek, the school’s delinquent, who finds himself drawn to her. Both hold their own share of secrets yet both slowly start finding comfort in one another after joining the school’s poetry club.

Even though this is young adult, I rarely found myself thinking of that aside from some dialogue here and there. There are beautifully written poems sprinkled throughout with moments of character introspection. Jae in particular really stood out to me - she has this love for poetry and writing that you can tell is the author’s love shining through, and her complicated past made her chapters both engaging and emotional. Derek too felt fleshed out as his own character. His voice was just as distinct as Jae’s and he has his own share of problems that leave him lying to his friends and putting up a front with everyone around him.

The novel deals with an array of themes from teen pregnancy to addiction, but above all it’s a story about healing and connecting through writing.

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy :)

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure I can add much more than what other reviews have already said about the beautiful language, wonderful free verse poems written by the different characters, and the deep and complex issues the characters face. It’s a great romance for readers who like gritty and complex. The issues the teens face in their home lives are heavy and the emotion of the romance is strong, but the physical scenes are not very graphic or explicit (no sex). I love a good hand-touching scene that can be as or more powerful than something much more physical. Absolutely great character development. An amazing debut and a gem of a book.

Spoiler: I really really loved how Jae took some time for herself but they eventually did come back to each other. I liked that the reader could feel they should be together but that these are also teens who don’t have to fall into a happily ever after in just a few weeks of knowing someone.

[Gwenyth Reitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delali Adjoa has written a knockout debut. This is the kind of book you want to pick back up and restart the moment you’re through. The prose is gorgeous, both heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure. And the poems sprinkled throughout are incredibly moving. I appreciated how Adjoa always treated the very real struggles of her teen protagonists with the upmost nuance and respect while simultaneously creating an electric chemistry between Jae and Derek. At its heart the book is a love story, but it was also a container for so much more: found family, profound personal growth, and most especially the power of words to connect and heal us. Just a beautiful, beautiful book.

[ren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Equal parts beautiful and tragic, this novel deals with real life situations and trauma that’ll be sure to leave you in tears. While the emotional impact is undeniable, I did feel as though something was missing. I would have loved to spend more time with the characters, getting to know them outside of their trauma and relationships with one another, as the pacing, especially towards the end, felt rushed. That being said, it was still a great and emotionally driven read. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have tears in my eyes!! this book is filled with beautiful love stories. an enemy seems too harsh but sorry to lovers story that explores young love and life. each relationship in this book felt so real. some heavy topics (that i was not expecting) but were treated so delicately. a sprinkle of real life made this a very engaging read. i loved this book and can’t wait to add it to my personal library. thank you net galley and tanjim1 on insta for this advanced copy! cannot wait to explore more from Delali!

[Jessica Felleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully written and heartfelt story of two teens falling in love even though their worlds are falling apart. The setting is so lush and every character is so full of personality you could feel them jumping off the page. Sweet, and tender, and definitely made me cry!

[Valicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to read this book. So excited!

[Daniel Wagener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stoked for this one!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

So looking forward to this story of love, growth, and acceptance.

[Lisa]

RTC

[Sarah Glenn Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare gem. <3 This is a book I'd give to anyone, because I think we can all find something in here to carry with us.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully told, this story felt so real and true. It was both heartbreaking and heartwarming—the kind of book that you continue thinking about long after turning the last page.

[Delali Adjoa]

Dear Reader,

The Free Verse Society is about the darkness teenagers carry, the secrets that weight them down. It deals with teen pregnancy, addiction, and other issues we can't wish away.

When we first sent the book to publishers, they offered praise (a gorgeous manuscript, deeply felt and observant, an exciting new voice) along with rejection. It was too dark for post-pandemic years, they said.

Yes, there is darkness, but there is also a story of aching hope, of healing, of moments that will make you laugh and gasp and swoon and melt.

This is a romance and Jae and Derek get their happily-ever-after, but there are bumps along the way. As big as the hurt is, the love is so much bigger.

You'll feel it.

~Delali

For readers who love the heartrending romance of A Walk to Remember, the lyricism of The Poet X, the comradery of Dead Poets Society, and the exploration of family, teen pregnancy, and adoption of Far From the Tree.

TW: pregnancy, addiction, violence, bullying, loss of a parent